Autologous stem cell transplants offer a crucial treatment option for patients with certain blood cancers, necessitating high doses of chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments, while effective against cancer cells, also destroy healthy blood-forming stem cells, impeding the body’s ability to produce essential blood cells. In an autologous transplant, the patient’s own healthy stem cells are collected prior to treatment and reinfused afterward to restore blood cell production.
The process begins with the collection of stem cells, either from the bone marrow or more commonly from peripheral blood after stimulation with medication. Post-collection, the patient undergoes additional therapy to prepare the bone marrow for receiving the healthy stem cells. The reinfusion, akin to a blood transfusion, occurs via a central venous catheter, after which the stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and resume normal blood cell production within one to two weeks.
During this period, patients might experience fatigue and other side effects, along with an increased risk of infection for at least three months, necessitating stringent preventive measures. The decision to pursue stem cell transplantation is personalized, with doctors providing guidance based on individual patient factors and potential outcomes.
